Electrocardiogram waveform identification and diagnostics via electrophysiological sensor system fusion

Abstract

An electroencephalography (EEG) sensor is installed on a seat and configured to monitor brain activity of a user to generate a EEG signal. An electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor is installed on the seat and configured to monitor heart activity of the user to generate a ECG signal. A processor of the seat is in communication with the EEG sensor and the ECG sensor, and is configured to process the EEG signal and the ECG signal to determine a stress level of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle system, comprising:
 an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor, installed on a seat and configured to monitor brain activity of a user located in the seat to generate a EEG signal; 
 an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, installed on the seat and configured to monitor heart activity of the user to generate an ECG signal; 
 a processor, in communication with the EEG sensor and the ECG sensor, configured to process vital data, the vital data including the EEG signal and the ECG signal, to determine a stress level of the user; 
 responsive to the stress level being above a predefined threshold, output a countermeasure to the user; 
 responsive to the stress level persisting for a predefined period of time, upload a first portion of the vital data indicative of the stress to a server for analysis in an anonymous manner; 
 responsive to receiving a request for additional vital data from the server, output a message via a human-machine interface (HMI) to request user permission to grant access to additional vital data; and 
 responsive to receiving the user permission via the HMI, upload a second portion of the vital data corresponding to the stress to the server in a non-anonymous manner. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the countermeasure includes at least one of to: play a previously-recorded audio file intended to elicit a calming effect, invite the user to slow down or stop the vehicle, or send a message to a third party. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a breathing sensor, installed on the seat and configured to monitor breathing activity of the user to generate a breathing signal. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle system of  claim 3 , wherein the breathing sensor is combined with the ECG sensor as a single unit. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle system of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to analyze a cardiorespiratory synchronization using the ECG signal and the breathing signal. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to communicate with a telematics controller to upload one or more of the EEG signal and the ECG signal to a server. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle system of  claim 6 , wherein the telematics controller is further configured to receive a diagnostic result from a server. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle system of  claim 6 , wherein the telematics controller is further configured to receive instruction to perform the countermeasure from the server, and the processor is configured to execute the countermeasure responsive to receipt of the instruction. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to communicate with an infotainment system, the telematics controller is further configured to receive a request from the server for additional EEG and ECG signals, and the infotainment system is configured to prompt the user to accept or deny the request. 
     
     
       10. The vehicle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage, installed to the seat and configured to record the EEG signal and the ECG signal. 
     
     
       11. A method for diagnosing user stress in a vehicle, comprising:
 collecting an electroencephalography (EEG) signal using an EEG sensor installed on a vehicle seat; 
 collecting an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal using an ECG sensor installed on the vehicle seat; 
 processing vital data, the vital data including the EEG signal and the ECG signal, to determine a level of stress of the user; 
 continuously uploading, via a telematics controller, the ECG signal to a server for diagnosis; 
 periodically uploading, via the telematics controller, a subset of the EEG signal to the server for diagnosis; and 
 responsive to receiving a diagnosis result indicative of a level of stress above a predefined threshold, output a countermeasure to the user. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the countermeasure includes at least one of: playing a previously-recorded audio file intended to elicit a calming effect, inviting the user to slow down or stop the vehicle, or sending a message to a third party. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving, using the telematics controller, instruction to perform the countermeasure from the server; and 
 executing the countermeasure responsive to receipt of the instruction. 
 
     
     
       14. A seat, comprising:
 an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor configured to monitor brain activity of a user sitting on the seat and generate a EEG signal; 
 an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor configured to monitor heart activity of the user and generate a ECG signal; and 
 a processor in communication with the EEG sensor and the ECG sensor configured to
 process vital data, the vital data including the EEG signal and the ECG signal, to determine a stress level of the user 
 continuously upload the ECG signal to a server for diagnosis; 
 periodically upload a subset of the EEG signal to the server for diagnosis; and 
 responsive to receive a diagnosis result indicative of a level of stress above a predefined threshold, output a countermeasure to the user. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The seat of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 responsive to the stress level persisting for a predefined period of time, upload a first portion of the vital data to a server for analysis in an anonymous manner; 
 responsive to receiving a request for additional vital data from the server, output a message via a human-machine interface (HMI) to request a user permission to grant access to additional vital data; and 
 responsive to receiving the user permission via the HMI, upload a second portion of vital data to the server. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 responsive to the stress level persisting for a predefined period of time despite the countermeasure, uploading a first portion of the vital data indicative of the stress to a server for analysis in an anonymous manner; 
 responsive to receiving a request for additional vital data from the server, outputting a message via a human-machine interface (HMI) to request a user permission to grant access to more vital data; and 
 responsive to receiving the user permission via the HMI, uploading a second portion of vital data indicative of the stress to the server.